HOME TRAILERS 2013 SCHEDULE PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS SHORT FILMS NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

LATEST NEWS

Fox to Tell Audiences How to Get to 'Sesame Street' on Big Screen

by Ethan Anderton
June 20, 2012
Source: Heat Vision

Hot on the heels of the big screen return of The Muppets, some more of Jim Henson's creations are heading to the big screen again. Heat Vision has word that Shawn Levy, who is quickly becoming as busy as Steven Spielberg, is producing a new Sesame Street feature film for 20th Century Fox. Levy likely won't direct the feature, but Joey Mazzarino, a longtime writer for the show that started way back in 1969, is slated to script the film. Considering Sesame Street has always been more educational than comical, I wouldn't expect something as universally pleasing as The Muppets, but it won't pander to children learning to read.

This isn't the first time Sesame Street has hit the big screen as the 1985 film Follow That Bird and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland in 1999 saw a theatrical release, but they definitely don't have the same film legacy as the Muppets. However, plenty of big name celebrities have had cameos in the films, not to mention in every single episode of the series. Recently, there's been a lot of clever sketches referencing today's most influential names in pop culture from Katy Perry to Ricky Gervais and even a very spectacular "Mad Men" inspired segment. But there's plenty that can still be done for a feature film.

Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster and of course Elmo will probably be along for the ride, as they are the most consistent characters in the dozens of foreign adaptations, but I wonder just what kind of story will bring them all together. Maybe we'll get an Occupy Sesame Street storyline? We don't know yet, but in the meantime, if you want to learn more about Kevin Clash, the man behind the voice and puppet of Elmo, I recommend hitting Netflix Instant to watch Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, a charming and very interesting documentary.

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Ehsan Davodi

I didn't see Seseme, I don't know what is it about or is interesting subject & had potential to turn to big screen picture or not, but I am in love with muppets dolls,every time I see their open mouth " they put smile on my face " like dear joker said.
Voice of Reason

While I thought the recent Muppet movie was a tremendous let down starring more humans than Muppets while cashing in on the last possible nostalgic value of the Muppets ending in a lackluster "show-stopper," I think Sesame Street can find relevance in a similar vein in what "The Muppets" attempted by way of an old school attempt to infiltrate modern audiences. There are a lot of disappointing ways kids are being educated (or, NOT being educated) these days, that could be addressed as well as the dependency on isolating, brain-numbing technology for education instead of through heartfelt imagination and personality emboldening a desire to learn....I dunno, there's a lot that could be addressed including family values and strong neighborhood dynamics that seem to be all but gone. And while Sesame Street may not be as "comical" as The Muppets, there was the same brand of Jim Henson magic that made it comparably delightful. ...although, sadly, most of Jim cannot be found in any of his original creations nowadays....so there's that sad fact.
DoomCanoe

will i pay to watch a cookie monster that eats only vegetables! I think not!